Helmet laws are a big priority. When you permit them as a "safety" solution you are nodding in agreement on the need for mandatory safety with the "civilized" folk that believe it unconscionable that "deadly" motorcycles are even permitted on the road. We have all met people that believe they should all be banned. Is that truly impossible? Maybe, but mandatory seatbelts, training wheels, or similar non-sense are not likely too far behind.
It is interesting that an estimated 23%- 31% of motorcycle fatalities in Lee County were wearing helmets, apparently voluntarily.
All serious motor injuries are head trauma, right? Helmets always save the state (and us) money as no one forced to wear a helmet ever survives a normally fatal crash and ends up a vegetable living off the state. The whole money issue is a bit blurry IMHO. The harm to friends and family is much more real to me.
While we are at it maybe we could keep medical costs down by limiting all the unhealthy foods society might wish to eat. Smokers, we need to cut them off completely for societal good. Better yet we need a ban on open face helmets as my full face is soooo much safer and will save society money. If you accept laws to dictate your life/safety there is always someone out that that can constrict your life a few more notches in the name of saving lives, dollars or the environment. You start of "being reasonable" with safety helmet laws and the next thing you know ZEV motorcycles become mandatory. If you choose that path please be aware it never ends.
It seems that I pay for way too much insurance on all aspects of my life. I guess I am paying for those that choose not to ride, eat unhealthy, or smoke. Hey, it appears it is on my tab so go for it!
Meanwhile if you are not wearing a helmet, PLEASE reconsider. Wear one at least sometimes. Maybe just when it is cold to start. Just give helmets a chance. I wear them all the time and encourage others to do so. In California (post Gov. Wilson signing the mandatory helmet law) it was always entertaining/sad to see a really sweet super-fast brand-new sportbike with a rider sans shirt/gloves wearing shorts and flip-flops but thank goodness he had that shiny helmet covered in graphics. Same issue for many cruiser's passengers. I am a bit slow on these things but it seems we need education not legislation.
It seems to me the most valuable data is typically missing in media reporting on helmet less fatalities. How may hours or miles are ridden in the before and after periods of increased fatalities. I am sure that total riding dropped significantly in California the year following the helmet law. Not surprisingly, the following year reported a bit fewer motorcycle fatalities. The death rate per hour or miles ridden could have been up or down no one appears to know (or care). But, ah the headlines looks so impressive LESS DEATHS post helmet law (CA) MORE DEATHS post lifting the ban (FL). Did anyone read further in the article/links where we find:
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051018/NEWS01/510180492/1002/NEWS01
Motorists are dying at a record rate in Lee County. So are pedestrians, motorcyclists and bike riders.
Experts blame no single cause for a 94 percent jump in highway deaths over last year.
Wow, you would think the headline should have been, "Experts clueless over 94 percent jump in highway deaths." Hmmm, if those pesky motorcyclists would just be forced to wear helmets maybe the cages would stop crashing into each other and running over peds increasing highway deaths 94% in Lee County IN 1 YEAR versus the 55% motorcyclist fatality increase in Florida post helmet ban OVER 5 YEARS. Sounds a bit weak to try to pass feel good "safety" laws when you don't have or cannot determine critical facts. But that is probably just me. Makes me want to don my gear and HAT and head out for a ride. My state is not one of the 19 anti-choice states regarding helmets. I seem to know what to do and just do it.